According to the International Energy Agency, the world is only using a fraction of the potential biowaste available to generate sustainable fuel that could cover 20% of the global demand. The present research focuses on producing hydrogen from direct biomass electrolysis. Hydrogen has been defined as a critical fuel to decarbonise the UK and the EU energy sectors by 2050. Therefore, advancement in direct biomass electrolysis for hydrogen production from waste interests the waste and energy industry.
Direct biomass electrolysis can produce hydrogen from biogenic content, like biomass and biowaste. Although the TRL of direct biomass electrolysis is still low (1-3), it has key advantages compared to existing technologies: i) potential high yield of hydrogen (ii) low energy demand of about 0.69 kWh per m3 of hydrogen (17% of the energy required by water electrolysis) (iii) small treatment device footprint; (iv) limited requirement for waste pre-treatment, compared to pyrolysis and gasification; (v) little or no post-treatment requirement for the gas produced (e.g., hydrogen separation, purification).
The PhD will have to experimentally investigate the hydrogen production from different biowaste sources available in Northern Ireland and the UK and identify their potential for hydrogen production. Pre-treatment processes will be considered. The student will also look at pathways to valorise the residue from biomass electrolysis. Techno-economic and environmental aspects of the entire process will be considered.
An engineering background is required, chemistry is the preferrable area of specialisation.
Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.
We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.
In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.
If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.
The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.
Appointment will be made on merit.
The University offers the following levels of support:
The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:
These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.
Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.
Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.
The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,237 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).
This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.
Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living
Chen, L., Nakamoto, R., Kudo, S., Asano, S., & Hayashi, J. ichiro. (2019). Biochar-Assisted Water Electrolysis. Energy and Fuels, 33(11), 11246–11252.
Hibino, T., Kobayashi, K., Ito, M., Ma, Q., Nagao, M., Fukui, M., & Teranishi, S. (2018, a). Efficient Hydrogen Production by Direct Electrolysis of Waste Biomass at Intermediate Temperatures. ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering, 6(7), 9360–9368.
Ito, M., Hori, T., Teranishi, S., Nagao, M., & Hibino, T. (2018). Intermediate-temperature electrolysis of energy grass Miscanthus sinensis for sustainable hydrogen production. Scientific Reports, 8(1).
Lepage, T., Kammoun, M., Schmetz, Q. and Richel, A., 2021. Biomass-to-hydrogen: A review of main routes production, processes evaluation and techno-economical assessment. Biomass and Bioenergy, 144, p.105920.
Li, M., Wang, T., Zhao, M., & Wang, Y. (2022). Research on hydrogen production and degradation of corn straw by circular electrolysis with polyoxometalate (POM) catalyst. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 47(34), 15357–15369
Liu, W., Cui, Y., Du, X., Zhang, Z., Chao, Z. and Deng, Y., 2016. High efficiency hydrogen evolution from native biomass electrolysis. Energy & Environmental Science, 9(2), pp.467-472.
Xu, W., Zhou, B., Wang, Q., Xu, G., Li, N., Liu, W. and Zhang, Z.C., 2023. Energy‐efficient Electrochemical Hydrogen Production Combined with Biomass Oxidation Using Polyoxometalate and Metal Salts. ChemCatChem, 15(15), p.e202300522.
Submission deadline
Monday 26 February 2024
04:00PM
Interview Date
Mid March 2024
Preferred student start date
16 September 2024
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